Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Links - Dec 30

A Chill on 'The Guardian' Jan 2009 edition (NY Review of Books) - The best, and most important, article written about the celebrated Guardian vs. Tesco offshore case, exploring the enormous implications. See here for more UK-related background on Britain's libel laws.

Yes you can change the climate, Mr ObamaDec 6 (New Scientist) – Implement or increase gasoline taxes. Here's the clever bit that should make this tax popular with most voters: every penny raised from the carbon tax should be divided equally among a country's citizens. This is called the "tax and 100-per-cent dividend" approach, and it is advocated by leading climate scientist James Hansen of NASA. Related to, but not exactly the same as, proposal outlined here.

An accountant’s dutyDec 29 (Tax Research) - The US AICPA’s ethical guidance require that: “By accepting membership, a certified public accountant assumes an obligation of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of laws and regulations. The Principles call for an unswerving commitment to honorable behavior, even at the sacrifice of personal advantage.” See this for context: http://taxjustice.blogspot.com/2008/12/tightening-up-on-intermediaries.html

Terrorist-linked bank using Jersey companyDec (Jersey News) - AN Iranian bank with links to terrorist organisations has been funnelling funds through a Jersey company, in violation of international sanctions, according to allegations made by the US Department of the Treasury.

AIG's Past Could Return To HauntDec 19 (IPS) - The U.S. will gets nearly 80 percent of AIG stock. This puts the U.S. in a unique position to investigate the internal operations of a giant corporation with a reputation for using the offshore system.

Calling accountants to accountGuardian (Dec 22) - No bank has published any figures about its assets, liabilities, profits, or losses specific to the UK or any other defined geographical jurisdiction. the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), a private organisation financed and dominated by corporate elites. Th

New tax code to stop treaty shoppingDec 22 (Economic Times of India) The government may introduce provisions in the new direct tax code to prevent misuse of double taxation avoidance agreements India has with other countries.

Wealthy Americans continue to dodge the taxmanDec 22 (Seattle Times) - Millionaires and corporations continue to convince lawmakers to shield them from the taxman and balance budgets on the backs of everyone else. That's what's going on in revenue-starved states right now: Governors are preparing to slash middle-class programs and are resisting calls to raise taxes on the wealthy.

0 Comments:

Links to this post:

About Me

The Tax Justice Network (TJN) is an international, non-aligned network of researchers and activists with a shared concern about the harmful impacts of tax avoidance, tax competition and tax havens.
www.taxjustice.net